Hawai'i Big Island: Environmental Conservation, Cultural Preservation & Snorkeling

Hawai'i Big Island: Environmental Conservation, Cultural Preservation & Snorkeling

Location
  • United States of America
    • Hawaii
Length
1 to 2 weeks
Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Age Min.
16
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter
Housing
Guesthouse Lodge
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Budget Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
2695
Price Details
What's included:
All accommodations within Hawaii, which have access to basic amenities and security
All group transportation within Hawaii
All meals throughout your stay
All of your adventure and cultural immersion activities
Funding toward volunteer projects
Drinking water 24/7
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Dec 31, 2025
Aug 11, 2025
67 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Travel to Hawai’i with GIVE and explore stunning waterfalls, active volcanoes, and lush rainforests on the Big Island. Our projects focus on giving back to the ‘Aina (land) and Moana (sea) through forest restoration, marine conservation, and regenerative farming projects. Work with local nonprofits to learn about indigenous culture & land stewardship practices. You will also be able to snorkel with green sea turtles, hike across volcanic craters, stargaze and see the sky as you've never seen before, and talk stories with indigenous leaders about their sacred lands, culture, and history.

Enhance your trip with our optional add-ons
- Scuba conservation: Receive PADI Open Water certification and scuba dive to protect our oceans
- Academic course in EcoTourism: earn 3-6 college credits while traveling with GIVE!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a well-structured, immersive experience focused on sustainable travel, cultural learning, and meaningful volunteer work.

Program Highlights

  • Volunteer on environmental restoration projects
  • Trek through lava fields on active volcanoes
  • Chase waterfalls and snorkel amongst vibrant marine life
  • Take part in a farm to table cooking class
  • Experience some of the best stargazing on the planet

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

GIVE's mission is to inspire growth, empower global citizens, and ignite sustainable change worldwide. To truly inspire growth and achieve sustainable travel internationally, GIVE has adopted the Asset-based community development (ABCD) model, a set of proven best practices in sustainable development that mobilizes a community’s assets and resources as the basis for development. Furthermore, through providing hands-on and eye-opening learning experiences that foster authentic connections between participants and host community members, we can empower global citizens who will continue to spread GIVE’s values and ignite sustainable change worldwide.
Exploring the world with GIVE is all about responsible travel, but what does that really mean?
Mindful Tourism + Community Partnership = Economic Growth & Community Empowerment.

Part of what makes GIVE trips so special is being fully immersed in the cultures and communities we visit. However, we take extra steps to ensure we minimize our influence and always respect local cultures. We prepare all participants before travel and ensure they understand the culture and how to dress appropriately.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 55 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 4.95
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 55 reviews
Brianna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Give Hawaii trip!

I got to learn how to make plant based burgers based off of what we had from the land. I got out of my comfort zone and hung out with people I don’t usually hangout with. I was able to try new foods and make new foods. You get to learn how to work together with people. In a way it reminded me of the breakfast club because people from all over with different personalities all come together. If I could I would go back it was a life changing trip and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to go.

What was your funniest moment?
I fell into a whole in the ground while trying to clear out grass from a river.
Pros
  • I met so many new people
  • You learn things you would never imagine
  • The food was amazing
Cons
  • I think there should have been one all free day with no agenda
58 people found this review helpful.
Lydia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best week ever!

My experience with GIVE was truly amazing. Leading up to my trip to Hawaii, GIVE communicated clearly and consistently, making sure we knew exactly what needed to be done to ensure everything went smoothly. They responded to emails and texts promptly and were always friendly and supportive. My time in Hawaii was life-changing. I learned so much and came home feeling completely fulfilled. The guides were incredible and made everyone feel comfortable and included. I formed lifelong connections and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. I would highly recommend going on a trip with GIVE. It was, without a doubt, the best week of my life.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate a Bilimbi fruit. It tasted sour and sort of like a green bean but it’s hard to explain!
Pros
  • Learning
  • Sightseeing
  • Friendships
Cons
  • Long travel days
  • Expensive
  • Hot weather
62 people found this review helpful.
Makayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Abundance overflowing

Traveling with GIVE was a unique experience unlike any other. My trip to Hawaii left me filled with abundance of gratitude, connection, self-reflection, empathy, and compassion for myself, others, and the land we get to inhabit. It took me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way and we learned so much about living life with giving more than we take in mind. It’s a great opportunity to build new friendships, learn to let go, and learn about Hawaii and what it means to travel sustainably and to respect our land and all its creatures. I can’t wait to sign up for my next trip!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
For part of our accommodations, we stayed on a farm that had numerous varieties of fruit - we got to walk around eating some of the fruit growing on the farm, the most unfamiliar and wonderful fruit being bolimby. No joke, it tasted like an extra sour jolly rancher or sour patch kid!
Pros
  • Connection
  • Sustainable
  • Beautiful
Cons
  • N/a
  • N/a
  • N/a
65 people found this review helpful.
Sloane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Mālama 'āina: Volunteer in Hawai'i with GIVE

I am so grateful for my second trip with GIVE Volunteers on the Big Island Hawai’i 💚 🌊 🌺 🌅

The people of Hawai’i have endless stories to tell that most people will never hear (or listen to). I’ll never forget the moment after a beach cleanup with the Hawaiian Wildlife Fund, when a local told us, “You have two eyes two ears and one mouth…what that means is you should look and listen twice as much as you speak.” As he spoke, he looked over his ancestors’ land while the powerful waves of Kawa Bay crashed behind him.

Our guides taught us just a few Hawaiian words, but the one that resonated with many of us throughout the trip was mana. Mana is the universal life force that moves through everything, and it is deeply powerful on this island. Mahalo nui loa to our wonderful trip guides for their open hearts, guiding us on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. And of course, I could never forget to mention the loving ohana of my fellow volunteers—these are the most wonderful, like-minded people, all dedicated to our work each and every day.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
One of the most special moments was our trip reflection while watching the sunset from a sacred cliffside. When Hawaiians on this island pass away, their souls travel to this spot on the island to step off and fully complete their journey into the spirit world. Just as we were leaving the space, two dolphins beautifully jumped out of the water as the sun sank behind them.
Pros
  • The beautiful souls you meet; from the guides, to your fellow volunteers, to the locals who protect this place with warm hearts. .
  • The memories you make: playing hide-and-seek in the dark, snorkeling in open water, long drives all around the island.
  • The work you do: taking care of kalo (taro) in the lo'i (irrigated terrace farm), cleaning the trash off the beach, shearing sheep for the wool to be made into yarn, and so much more.
Cons
  • No service for the first accommodation, but have no fear! You get service everyday when you pass through the town on the way to our volunteer sites.
  • Sometimes bugs like to sneak into the accommodations, but nothing too scary! You quickly learn to become one with the nature :)
  • Not a ton of formal discussions about Hawai'i history, land, language, culture, and tourism. But you learn a lot throughout the day and on the drives, just keep your eyes and ears open.
71 people found this review helpful.
Liam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GIVE Hawaii Trip

Traveling to Hawaii with GIVE was one of the best experiences of my life. The people I met on the trip, ranging from the incredibly down-to-earth guides and the other passionate volunteers, are some of my dearest friends and I hope to stay in touch with them for the rest of my life. Immersing myself in the local culture of Hawaii’s big island allowed me to embrace a new cultural environment and learn from the steward and caretakers of the beautiful āina. Having been on this trip and making so many incredible friends, I would definitely recommend going on a GIVE trip to anyone and everyone who’s even slightly interested. It may just change your life forever. I know it did for me. Thank you Liv, Jayden, Carly, and Traven for welcoming me to go on this wonderful journey and allowing me to learn more about the people and culture of beautiful Hawaii.

66 people found this review helpful.
Isabella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome experience!

GIVE Volunteers puts genuine heart and intention into every project and each participant’s journey. This isn’t just about volunteering—it’s about real connection, both with the community and within yourself. The program challenges you to reflect deeply on your place in the world and how you can create lasting impact. The leaders are passionate and supportive, creating a space where everyone feels valued. Truly an unforgettable experience—I highly recommend it to anyone seeking purpose and adventure.

64 people found this review helpful.
Ivy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The GIVE Hawai'i trip is so worth it!

My GIVE Hawai'i experience was something I will never forget. I was able to leave a positive environmental impact in local communities and make lifelong friends. Snorkeling, clearing out weeds in a lo'i, trying delicious new foods, and witnessing cuddling sea turtles on the beach were just a few of my favorite moments. The guides on the Hawai'i GIVE trip (Traven, Liv, and Jayden) made it their mission to make sure that everyone was having an amazing time throughout the trip. I will definitely be planning another GIVE trip in the future!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers is to come into the trip with an open mind and a willingness to try new foods, learn about a new culture, and participate in unique experiences.
Pros
  • New friends
  • Leaving a positive environmental impact
  • Gaining valuable knowledge and skills
Cons
  • N/A
66 people found this review helpful.
Sophia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life!

Traveling to Hawaii with GIVE was the best experience of my life. Going to a place like Hawaii and experiencing the culture in a way most people will never get to was such a blessing. The trip opened up my eyes and reminded me that the world is much bigger than my life I am so used to back home. A goal of mine is to force myself out of my comfort zone, and this trip definitely helped me do that. I was a bit nervous going into the trip, navigating an airport alone for the first time and spending so much time with strangers. But do not let those nerves hold you back at all!! Taking this step was the best decision I’ve ever made. I was able to meet the most incredible people that I now consider close friends. I learned so much about sustainability and how to steward the Earth, as well as so much about myself and my passions. This trip exceeded all my expectations and I could not recommend traveling with GIVE enough :)

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I could do this trip again, I would get out of my head, let loose, and be 100% myself! It can be hard to do these things around unfamiliar people, but sometimes I just need to remind myself to stop overthinking and be myself.
Pros
  • You will meet the most incredible people.
  • Experiencing a new culture in the most valuable, meaningful way.
  • Connecting with nature and learning to steward the Earth.
Cons
  • You’ll never want to leave :(
86 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers